Introducing Merlot

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Ed Lyerly
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Location: North Carolina, USA

Introducing Merlot

Post by Ed Lyerly »

Hello BigCoupe.com friends. Today I would like to introduce Merlot, my new to me 1985 M635. She is Burgunrot metallic (199) with a special order (9990) white leather interior. She is my second M635 and is the result of sellers remorse after selling my 1st M635 that her original owner named Crystal. You can see her details and history here by searching "Introducing Crystal" in this Gallery forum.
I was taken by her unusual color combination when she was advertised for sale in the BMW Club "Roundel" magazine back in 2016. Unfortunately, I was late to the bidding and missed my chance then. I did talk with the buyer then and due to some recent changes in his situation .... we agreed on a recent purchase which brought Merlot from New Mexico to North Carolina. I'm looking at Merlot as a "keeper" .... and long time project ....and plan to make incremental changes an improvements over time. OK ..... so here she is:
https://imageshack.com/a/img922/8972/FY0uoU.jpg
https://imageshack.com/a/img923/1176/lAL1ZZ.jpg
https://imageshack.com/a/img923/4775/ToQx93.jpg
https://imageshack.com/a/img924/1152/fBRu7Y.jpg
https://imageshack.com/a/img924/7168/72Fsff.jpg
https://imageshack.com/a/img922/8228/XxjcU5.jpg
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1985 M635 #1998 (gone but not forgotten)
1994 850CSi (also gone but not forgotten)
1985 M635 #589
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clipper47
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Re: Introducing Merlot

Post by clipper47 »

She is a stunning beauty!
Dave
_____________
1985 635CSi US
Cosmos Blue/Pearl Beige
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ozbmwnut
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Re: Introducing Merlot

Post by ozbmwnut »

Wow... Just wow.
3/1986 Complianced, Aust delivered E24. Bronzit with Pearl Beige.
Garage buddies: E9 3.0 csi Polaris Silver, blue leather ; E34 M5 Alpine White, Black extended leather ; E39 M5 Carbon Black, Caramel Heritage Leather.
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jps635
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Re: Introducing Merlot

Post by jps635 »

Thats amazing, and the garage
'85 635csi JPS (RA2-66)
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Ed Lyerly
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Re: Introducing Merlot

Post by Ed Lyerly »

Thanks for the kind words about Merlot. Her unusual color combo is really what drew me to her. She is really a "10 footer" with many small imperfections that I hope to mostly correct over time without making a trailer queen out of her :)
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1985 M635 #1998 (gone but not forgotten)
1994 850CSi (also gone but not forgotten)
1985 M635 #589
brickwhite
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Re: Introducing Merlot

Post by brickwhite »

I'll fix the images....

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GRNSHRK
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Re: Introducing Merlot

Post by GRNSHRK »

Oh my, stunning is right =D>

Wow, think I'd be covering those seats =P~

Nice find Ed, surely we need to hear more about this absolute beauty [-o<
:mrgreen:
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1980 633 CSi Cypress Green/Pearl Beige
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G03rt2
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Re: Introducing Merlot

Post by G03rt2 »

That is a beautiful car. The paint, the interior, the wheels. It's all perfect. The stable isn't half bad either lol
baders
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Re: Introducing Merlot

Post by baders »

Beautiful car with beautiful colour combination Ed. Nice pick up indeed. Is that a bulkhead mounted subwoofer I'm seeing there ?
1986 635csi LOCUTUS / Arktis Blau Metallic / Pearl Beige / S38B36/ Close ratio dogleg 5sp
2002 E46 M3 / Topaz Blau Metallic / Black Nappa / 6 speed SMG software tuned / Bilstein PSS10 Coilovers / CMP RACP reinforcement
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Ed Lyerly
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Re: Introducing Merlot

Post by Ed Lyerly »

GRNSHRK wrote: Mon Nov 12, 2018 9:17 pm Oh my, stunning is right =D>

Wow, think I'd be covering those seats =P~

Nice find Ed, surely we need to hear more about this absolute beauty [-o<
Thank you Bobbo. The car has an interesting history. It was originally ordered by Prestige Imports in Kenner, LA. It was brought in to the port at LA/SF in December of '84 and federalized (as it is a euro "gray market" car) by G&K Automotive in Santa Ana, CA. The car was then driven from there to Prestige Imports in LA. Unfortunately, in route it was involved in an accident in Texas which caused damage to the front end. Prestige Imports sold the damaged car to Hood Motors in LA who resold it to Classic Auto in Tupelo, MS. Classic repaired the car and the owner of Classic Auto drove it as his personal car until it was sold in 10/88 on the 1st title with 3800 miles on the odometer. The new owner had the car shipped to WA and put approximately 60K miles on the car in his 28 year ownership. It changed hands again in 2016 and was relocated to New Mexico where the new owner enjoyed it until some health issues motivated him to sell the car to me. I had also been talking with the 28 year owner about purchasing the car back in 2016, but the New Mexico buyer got there first. I got the New Mexico buyers contact info and stayed in touch with him ..... so he knew he had a buyer for the car if he ever wanted to sell it. When that option was offered, I was 1st in line this time :D

PS ..... I do have a slip on cover for the driver seat, which helps a lot.
Last edited by Ed Lyerly on Tue Nov 13, 2018 4:34 pm, edited 1 time in total.
---------------------
1985 M635 #1998 (gone but not forgotten)
1994 850CSi (also gone but not forgotten)
1985 M635 #589
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Ed Lyerly
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Location: North Carolina, USA

Re: Introducing Merlot

Post by Ed Lyerly »

baders wrote: Tue Nov 13, 2018 8:47 am Beautiful car with beautiful colour combination Ed. Nice pick up indeed. Is that a bulkhead mounted subwoofer I'm seeing there ?
Thank you ! Keen eye picking up the subwoffer :)
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1985 M635 #1998 (gone but not forgotten)
1994 850CSi (also gone but not forgotten)
1985 M635 #589
Ronnie Wilson
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Re: Introducing Merlot

Post by Ronnie Wilson »

Hi Ed

Nice colour combination.
Ronnie
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tschultz
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Re: Introducing Merlot

Post by tschultz »

wow, very unique combo, looks very nice!
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gray635
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Re: Introducing Merlot

Post by gray635 »

Wow, Ed! She's a beauty. :shock: That lotus white interior looks remarkably spotless. Great find.

Did you get tired of fooling with that Pantera?
Mike Gray
1985 635CSi - Alpine white/black, 5 sp.
1991 M5- Alpine White II/black,
1988 M5 - Euro bumper conversion
2013 Aston Martin Vantage V8, MT, white/chestnut,
2011 M-B E350, 1989 Alfa Romeo Milano Gold, 2014 Porsche 911 7MT w/aero kit, 15K
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Ed Lyerly
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Re: Introducing Merlot

Post by Ed Lyerly »

Thanks Mike ! I appreciate your kind words. I've had sellers remorse ever since I sold my '85 M635 "Crystal" back in '13. I saw this car for sale back in '16 and fell in love with the color combo ..... I regretted missing the opportunity to buy it then ..... and basically "stalked" the PO, so when he reluctantly decided to let it go due to some health issues, I was 1st in line :) I'm very pleased to again be able be a participant (instead of a spectator) at the Southeast Sharkfest and The Vintage in 2019 :)
I still have the Pantera but will likely put it up for sale in the Spring ..... it could be yours if you are interested.
Ed
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1985 M635 #1998 (gone but not forgotten)
1994 850CSi (also gone but not forgotten)
1985 M635 #589
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Dimi555
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Re: Introducing Merlot

Post by Dimi555 »

wow. byoo-tee-full!
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Ed Lyerly
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Re: Introducing Merlot

Post by Ed Lyerly »

Thank you Dimi555 !
I'm happy to be a participant in the Southeast Sharkfest again in 2019 after being only a spectator for the last several years :)
---------------------
1985 M635 #1998 (gone but not forgotten)
1994 850CSi (also gone but not forgotten)
1985 M635 #589
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7thtolast
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Re: Introducing Merlot

Post by 7thtolast »

Luvly....i was just noticing your valve cover...and the differences...with my 88 us m6....wondering if that has something to do with the emission differences between euro and us....with euro single row timing chain vs the double row for us? Or is it just model year difference thing!
My oil filler cap is up above the sprockets...i dont have bmw roundel...instead it says bmw-m power :-k
1988 Black BMW M6...7th to the last North American M6 built.
One of six with the black Nappa leather interior.
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Ed Lyerly
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Re: Introducing Merlot

Post by Ed Lyerly »

7thto last,

Thanks for your kind words about Merlot. To answer your question .... I believe it is a model year thing. My previous M635 "Crystal" had the same configuration. Crystal was born 3/85 where Merlot was born on 9/84. What the US M6 model owners usually notice on that side of the engine bay is the "bundle of snakes" SS header system that the grey market euro cars came with.
Attachments
Crystal's Engine.jpg
Crystal's Engine.jpg (464.08 KiB) Viewed 18059 times
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1985 M635 #1998 (gone but not forgotten)
1994 850CSi (also gone but not forgotten)
1985 M635 #589
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7thtolast
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Re: Introducing Merlot

Post by 7thtolast »

I did notice those works of art as well!
1988 Black BMW M6...7th to the last North American M6 built.
One of six with the black Nappa leather interior.
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Ed Lyerly
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Re: Introducing Merlot

Post by Ed Lyerly »

Come on down to the Southeast Sharkfest in a couple weeks in SC (April 26-28) and we can compare notes on these very special cars.

https://www.bmwsharkfest.org/#/Southeas ... st2019/e30
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1985 M635 #1998 (gone but not forgotten)
1994 850CSi (also gone but not forgotten)
1985 M635 #589
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7thtolast
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Re: Introducing Merlot

Post by 7thtolast »

I wish I could...thnx!
There is just too much to do....
1988 Black BMW M6...7th to the last North American M6 built.
One of six with the black Nappa leather interior.
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hornhospital
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Re: Introducing Merlot

Post by hornhospital »

Attendance this year was planned, but my wife just had a knee replacement and she needs me here. Next year!
Ken Kanne
'84 633CSi "Sylvia"; '85 635CSi "Katja";'85 325e "Hazel Ann"; '95 M3 "Ashlyn"
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Ed Lyerly
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Re: Introducing Merlot

Post by Ed Lyerly »

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1985 M635 #1998 (gone but not forgotten)
1994 850CSi (also gone but not forgotten)
1985 M635 #589
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Caff
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Re: Introducing Merlot

Post by Caff »

that is one absolutely stunning car! :-"
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